European Affairs Ministers of the Southern European Union countries (MED7) underlined the need for an ambitious EU recovery plan, based on solidarity, during a videoconference on Thursday, that was also attended by Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides.
 
Regarding the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, Ministers reaffirmed in a Joint statement their solidarity with Cyprus and Greece and called on all countries of the region to respect international law, the sovereignty and sovereign rights of EU Member States.
 
According to a Foreign Ministry announcement, Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides attended on Thursday afternoon a MED7 videoconference, that was held at the initiative of France. The videoconference was attended by competent Ministers from France, Greece, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Malta and Portugal, building on previous MED7 Summits, it is added.
 
The European recovery plan and the Multiannual Financial Framework, coordination to exit the crisis caused by the pandemic, the discussion on the Future of Europe, Migration, the situation in the Eastern Mediterranean, issues pertaining to the Southern Neighbourhood for Europe and negotiations about the bloc’s future relationship with the United Kingdom were all part of the meeting’s agenda, the announcement says.
 
“In light of the prevailing situation caused by the pandemic, the competent Ministers discussed at length an exit strategy from the crisis, including aspects pertaining to Tourism and stressed the need for an ambitious EU recovery plan based on solidarity” it is noted.
 
In this framework, Ministers welcomed a relevant proposal by the European Commission, making particular reference to the Franco-German initiative regarding the Recovery Fund. They also discussed the Multiannual Financial Framework and other topics of European interest, such as the Climate and Digital agendas.
 
MED7 Ministers, responsible for European Affairs, also discussed Migration “which continues to be one of the greatest challenges the Union is facing” the announcement says. During their discussion, it is noted, Ministers also underlined the need for Turkey to fully implement the 2014 Readmission Agreement with the EU and, on the basis of its obligations deriving from the 2016 Joint EU-Turkey Statement, to terminate the practice of directing migrant flows towards Cyprus and Greece, which exacerbates the problem and causes further destabilisation within the EU and in the broader region.
 
In relation to worrisome developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, competent Ministers reiterated their adhesion to the European Council Conclusions of December 2019 and the Statement of EU Foreign Ministers, last May, the announcement says.
 
“In the Joint statement issued after the end of the Summit, participating countries reaffirm their solidarity with Cyprus and Greece and call on all countries of the region to respect international law, including the law of the sea, and in particular the sovereignty and sovereign rights of EU Member States” the announcement says.
 
A peaceful, stable, and prosperous Mediterranean region is a fundamental element for the future of Europe and is in the interest of the EU as a whole, the Joint statement further stresses.
 
Ministers also highlighted the strategic importance of the Southern Neighbourhood for Europe, the announcement says.  They stressed moreover that as these countries face difficult challenges, exacerbated by the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic, Europe should stand by their side. They also called for an ambitious revamping of the EU’s policy on the region, and said that they are looking forward to an EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting, when circumstances allow.
 
Ministers expressed finally their dedication to further deepen their cooperation, in view of the next European Council and the upcoming Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern European Union countries, while pointing out the need to draw lessons from the unprecedented crisis caused by the pandemic.
 

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